Inactivation of fungal spores by performic acid in water: Comparisons with peracetic acid

Abstract

Performic acid (PFA) has received increasing attention in water disinfection due to its high disinfection efficiency and fewer formation of disinfection by-products. However, the inactivation of fungal spores by PFA has not been investigated. In this study, the results showed that the log-linear regression plus tail model adequately described the inactivation kinetic of fungal spores with PFA. The k values of A. niger and A. flavus with PFA were 0.36 min−1 and 0.07 min−1, respectively. Compared to peracetic acid, PFA was more efficient in inactivating fungal spores and caused more serious damage on cell membrane. Compared to neutral and alkaline conditions, acidic environments demonstrated a greater inactivation efficiency for PFA. The increase of PFA dosage and temperature had a promoting effect on the inactivation efficiency of fungal spores. PFA could kill the fungal spores by damaging cell membrane and penetration of cell membranes. In real water, the inactivation efficiency declined as a result of the existence of background substances such as dissolved organic matter. Moreover, the regrowth potential of fungal spores in R2A medium were severely inhibited after inactivation. This study provides some information for PFA to control fungi pollution and explores the mechanism of PFA inactivation.